The Most Popular PHR Blogs & More- The Most Message Board

Popularhotrodding.comMost Popular PHR BlogsWhy wait an entire month for your new issue of Popular Hot Rodding to arrive when you can see what we're up to on a daily basis? The PHR staff is online and posting blogs everyday, and we read the comments you leave on them. These are some examples of top blogs that have been posted recently. To read or comment on any of the blogs listed, just go to the popularhotrodding.com home page and type the search phrase into the "search" box in the upper righthand corner. You can also click on "Blogs," then check out the list of "Most Commented On" blogs. If you use the search function, you'll also get other related stories, news, blogs, or PHR forum posts. We check the comments frequently, and based on the interest level, we'll often develop stories based on what you say. We've already started our '75 Laguna project due to reader interest, and we're in the final stages of a 502 big-block buildup. Naturally, every red-blooded male reader wants to absorb every tidbit they can about tech editor Liz Miles, and opinions abound regarding young ladies in print, so don't be shy--weigh in!

2/15Search phrase: 502 Big-Block

Randyayersmodeling.comCool Model Car SiteWhile kicking around on the web looking for Laguna stuff, we discovered Randy Ayers' NASCAR Modeling Center, which is a clearinghouse forum for information on building NASCAR model cars. We were particularly interested in the section pertaining to our '75 Laguna (Grayside Racers Corner 1973 through 1989). These guys are really into old NASCAR stuff; in their quest to find the right paint scheme, decals, and build techniques, they really get into a lot of the actual specifics of the original race cars. There's lots of vintage trivia and rare photos--and best of all, lots of Laguna fans! If you're a G3 freak, swing by and check it out.

Summitracing.comAgainst Cash For ClunkersOld cars are the lifeblood of our hobby, but some Washington lawmakers are hoping to create a new nationwide scrappage program that would give U.S. tax dollars to consumers who turn in older cars to have them scrapped. Summit Racing Equipment and the more than 6,800 member companies of SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) are urging lawmakers to have this potential new program scrapped instead.

3/15Search phrase: Liz Miles Joins PHR

The new scrappage program, dubbed "Cash for Clunkers," would be part of a new economic stimulus package to help create jobs, and is specifically designed to spur new car sales. By the time you read this, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has most likely introduced the bill, but it may not be too late. Here's why the scrappage program should not be included in the stimulus package:

* Owners who turn in vehicles for crushing would receive a minimal payment to purchase a new car.

* Since many of these cars are sitting in garages or storage, the program is a misguided attempt to claim the country's air quality or fleet fuel mileage is being improved.

* The program would deny small businesses in the specialty automotive industry the availability of older cars necessary to develop new products and services.

4/15Search phrase: 1976 Olds 442

* "Cash for Clunkers" would risk the destruction of classic, historic, and special-interest vehicles.

*"Cash for Clunkers" would reduce the availability of affordable transportation and repair parts used by low-income drivers.

* The program ignores better policy options--repair and upgrade is a win-win for consumers, dealers, manufacturers, and repair shops.

* The program would reduce the amount of parts and parts cars available for repair, restoration, and customization projects.

What Can You Do?Please help us and fellow enthusiasts by expressing your opposition to the "Cash for Clunkers" scrappage program. Contact House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at 202-225-0100, or log on to http://speaker.house.gov/contact/ to send a message electronically.

5/15Search phrase: Hot Girls In Print

weberprecision.comWorld's Smallest Blower MotorJames Weber isn't your ordinary engine builder: he built this V-8 engine from scratch in his home out of billet aluminum from a design of his own. It's also extremely small at just 5.6 cubic inches. (Honestly, our miniature theme is purely by accident this month!) Using CNC lathes and milling machines in his well-stocked garage, Weber chronicled his experience online in eye-opening detail, culminating in an amazing video of the engine running (it sounds just like a Top Fuel motor). Writes Weber on his website: "This page will describe the construction of a miniature eight-cylinder engine I built in my home machine shop over the past few years. I still have a few small details left to finish, but the engine is running and almost complete. This was my first attempt at building a running miniature engine; I should have started with something a little simpler. I had a great time designing and building this engine, and the first time it started was an unbelievable experience."

Type:

four-stroke V-8

Bore:

1.000 inch

Stroke:

0.900 inch

Displacement:

5.655 ci

Compression ratio:

9.0:1

Rotation:

clockwise

Max RPM:

12,000

Horsepower:

unknown

Weight:

25 lbs.

Firing order:

1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

Supercharger:

rotary sliding vanes

Carburetion:

dual Walbro carbs

Ignition:

dual electronic

Oiling system:

two-stage dry sump

6/15Search phrase: Project X Shakedown Run!

Sound Off!Rant Of The MonthThanks For Nothing!I just wanted to "thank" the person who wrote the ["Hometown Heroes"] articles for the January issue. I don't ever recall being as angry as I was upon reading the article on our 1969 Camaro [p. 48]. We weren't advised that you needed to be a professional photographer and model to enter the photo contest. My niece posed for our photo only because we asked her to. She had never done anything like this ever. We tried to make it non-risque, only to have her totally embarrassed by the article. As far as Liz Miles goes, I bought the dress AND the shoes, and believe me, they matched! I thought this was a very tacky comment to put in print! We definitely didn't feel that the time or money we lost was worth what we got out of the [cover] shoot. As for some of the models, I thought this was a car magazine. I believe the majority of the men/women who buy this magazine do so for the cars. If they wanted to see half-naked women, they would buy Hustler.Vickey PhillipsNewburgh, IN

7/15

Call us crazy, but if your Hustler is coming with half-naked women, you should get your money back. And you're welcome for us putting your car on the cover. Your car kicked butt for not a lot of coin--6.50 in the eighth-mile for a claimed investment of $20K. Black pumps would've been better, but your niece Jessica is really hot, so it doesn't matter that much. Without a detailed vehicle tech sheet, we were left to comment on the optically challenged couture, and give you photo tips. (Our tips were not a joke; if folks take them to heart, their results will improve.) One nagging question: If you genuinely believe car magazines shouldn't print pictures of women with cars, why did you subject your niece to a photo shoot, then send the pix to us?

Our January 2009 photo contest story was very popular, especially the section titled "Hello Ladies!" Here's another photo of Brandi Danner to tide you over.

8/15

Spoiled RottenMy rant of the month is about "The Local Legend" COPO Camaro story (February 2009). Why would someone add that freakin' dumb-ass spoiler to this rare of a car? What makes this car stand out in my mind is the simple fact that it survived all these years. Why it came from Harrell like this makes me wonder, what was he thinkin'? Distinctive, I think NOT!!! I've owned a few cars in the past that I wish I could get back today, but never did I do something to any of them like this!Dennis GordonChino Hills, CA

Dick Harrell built the car in 1969 with the ARE spoiler, and that's one of the unique things that make it a Dick Harrell Camaro. Taking the spoiler off--the same one it survived with all these years--would take away from the car's intrinsic value.

9/15You can see just how small Weber's engine is by comparing it to the rest of the stuff on his workbench (check out the gasket scraper on the left). We should invite this guy to do an exhibition run at the Jegs Engine Masters Challenge!

Fight, Fight!Red & White!Glad to hear you have decided to do a project on the '73-77 Chevelle body style. As far as I'm concerned, they are my favorite, especially the '73. I just wanted to respond to some of the comments that were blasting your choice for doing the '75 Laguna. I have enclosed some pics of my '73, and would like very much for Steve1968LS2 to see them, and then let him know that I am now calling my '73 Malibu "Project Kick Ass," which is what will happen if the two of us ever get together on the track.Rick NewsomeColumbus, OH

Cool Laguna, Rick. Just so you know, the "Steve1968LS2" commenting in the December 2008 Message Board column is none other than ex-PHR tech editor Steven Rupp. His '68 Camaro is Project Bad Penny, so before you go fixin' to throw down on Penny, just know that you might have bitten off a little more than you can chew. We'll certainly be in your corner for moral support, though.

Let Your Voice Be Heard!We want your input in Popular Hot Rodding, but we aren't psychic. Sound off on how you feel about this issue, or anything that's on your mind. Contact us by email at john.hunkins@sourceinterlink.com.